Air Force pararescue jumpers, or PJs, set themselves some difficult tasks as part of Northern Edge 2006, according to Marine Corps journalist Lance Cpl, Ethan Hoaldridge. Alaska’s climate and terrain provided an excellent training opportunity for PJs visiting from the 31st Rescue Squadron of Kadena AB, Japan. Some of the Alaskan combat search and rescue crews got to play “victims” in scenarios such as one that had PJs jumping from a C-130 into the frigid Kachemak Bay to rescue three victims.
Trainees in Basic Military Training and technical school no longer have the option to try alternate PT drills if they fail an initial assessment, according to a policy change the Air Force made in April. The move is part of a larger shift out of the classroom and into hands-on,…